HY1 genetically interacts with GBF1 and regulates the activity of the Z-box containing promoters in light signaling pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana

Arabidopsis HY1/HO1, heme oxygenase enzyme, catalyses the oxygenation of heme to produce biliverdin, an essential step in the phytochrome–chromophore biosynthesis pathway. GBF1/ZBF2 is a G/Z-box binding bZIP protein that plays a dual but opposite regulatory roles in blue light-mediated seedling development and gene expression. Here, we show the genetic interactions of HY1 and GBF1 in seedling photomorphogenesis, and the role of HY1 in the regulation of promoters containing the Z-box light responsive element. Our results indicate that whereas the additional mutation in GBF1 does not affect the phenotype of hy1 mutant seedlings in red or far-red light, the additional mutation in HY1 suppresses the hyper photomorphogenic phenotype of gbf1 in BL. Further, transgenic studies using promoter-reporter constructs indicate that functional HY1 is essential for the optimal induction of Z-box containing synthetic and native promoters at various stages of Arabidopsis growth and development. Thus, this study establishes a functional relation of HY1 with GBF1, and HY1-mediated regulation of Z-box containing promoters in Arabidopsis seedling development.

► Light is one of the most important factors for plant growth and development. ► About one-third of the total number of genes in Arabidopsis is controlled by light. ► The G/Z-box is a common cis-acting element in light-regulated promoters. ► This study shows the functional overlap between HY1 and GBF1 in light signaling.